Is Holland america for Old People ?

[AZ Ocean Lover]

I've always been interested in HAL and we are not late night party people and we like a more sedate atmosphere but I can't get past the smoking on the balcony thing. That is the deal breaker for me.

[cruisemom42]

If you are looking for a port intensive cruise that features a higher level of activities than hairy chest competitions and belly flop contests or rock wall climbing, then HAL is a good choice.

 

 

Doc

 

Trust me, I am the farthest thing from being into belly flops and rock walls, but I don't find HAL offers that many "higher level" activities -- just the absence of what it appears you'd term less higher level ones....

 

The last few HAL cruises I've been on did not even have a real port lecturer or enrichment lecturer.

[Aquahound]

If you are looking for a port intensive cruise that features a higher level of activities than hairy chest competitions and belly flop contests or rock wall climbing, then HAL is a good choice.

 

I agree with cruisemom42. Just because HAL doesn't have those particular activities doesn't mean the activities they do have are "higher level." The activities available on HAL also exist on the lines with rock walls and belly flops.

 

To answer the OP's question, I have cruised RCI, NCL, Princess, Celebrity and HAL...each line multiple times...and in my experience, HAL's reputation of being for older people is well justified.

[YubaSutter]

On our last Holland America cruise, we had a tender port. Of the 100 people on our tender, 6 were on oxygen and 20 either had canes or walkers.

[Aquahound]

I've always been interested in HAL and we are not late night party people and we like a more sedate atmosphere but I can't get past the smoking on the balcony thing. That is the deal breaker for me.

 

By far, that is HAL's biggest negative, in my opinion. It baffles me that after all the other major lines have banned it, a line that tries to advertise itself as premium still allows it.

[srlafleur]

We're 63 and 62, now. In the past, we've been on HAL a few times, and enjoyed every cruise. Then again, they were 7 day Caribbean cruises and 7 day Mexico out of San Diego, so...the HAL equivalent of party-barge cruises. (The shore excursions including alcohol were well attended!) I have no doubt that the longer and more pricey sailings skew to an older demographic, as they do on any line.

 

What many younger people don't understand is that as we get older, we actually get back into the swing of "partying" - the kids are grown so who gives a...um, er, who cares?:rolleyes:

[mudscraper]

On our last Holland America cruise, we had a tender port. Of the 100 people on our tender, 6 were on oxygen and 20 either had canes or walkers.

 

When you observe the disabilities of your fellow travelers do you chart them on a clip board or do you commit them to memory ?

[sherilyn70]

On our last Holland America cruise, we had a tender port. Of the 100 people on our tender, 6 were on oxygen and 20 either had canes or walkers.

What does that have to do with age? I'm 45 and need a scooter. Disabilities are not age discriminatory.

[YubaSutter]

When you observe the disabilities of your fellow travelers do you chart them on a clip board or do you commit them to memory ?

 

Memory

[LocoLoco1]

As a veteran cruiser, I was once asked if there was much of a difference between lines such as Celebrity and Holland America. My reply ... "The older folks cruise with Celebrity; their parents sail on Holland America." That pretty much sums it up.

 

Al

I agree....I'm 66 and I WANT to be on a ship without 20-somethings doing a booze cruise.

Locomotiveman Tom

[navybankerteacher]

As a veteran cruiser, I was once asked if there was much of a difference between lines such as Celebrity and Holland America. My reply ... "The older folks cruise with Celebrity; their parents sail on Holland America." That pretty much sums it up.

 

Al

 

Very cute reply, "veteran cruiser"; how many of your cruises were on those two lines?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Not sure what age group you mean when say "Old People".

HAL's Vista and Signature class ships that do 7 day cruises, have all age groups on them.

Not everything closes down early.

There is the BBKing group that puts on 3 shows most evenings -- last around 10 or 11 PM.

Then there is the Northern Lights Disco which opens at 9 on some ships and 10 on other ships.

Casino is open to late times, Piano Bar is open late.

[Karysa]

Not at all. I remember seeing folks as young as their mid 60's...

 

I know that you meant this as a joke but seriously if someone is 70 and answering this question or 40 and answering this question it is very likely that the age of "older" is different to each of them.

[sail7seas]

Those of you who want to avoid us 'old people', keep in mind you, too, will be old one day if you are really, really lucky.

 

The only way to get there is to live a long time. Most of us think it beats the alternative.

[Karysa]

There are plenty of people who want to avoid cruises with children so people stating that their choice is to be on board with a younger demographic really shouldn't offend.

[JimAOk1945]

The more "younger" folks that sail a line, the fewer "old folks" there will be. Don't discount the fun that older people can have...they've been practicing a long time and know how to have a good time! You don't have to stay up until 2 am to have a blast!

 

"Like!!!" :D

[JimAOk1945]

Those of you who want to avoid us 'old people', keep in mind you, too, will be old one day if you are really, really lucky.

 

The only way to get there is to live a long time. Most of us think it beats the alternative.

 

You are so right, Sail! I've said something similar to people when they hear we are going on a HAL cruise for the first time next year. My wife and I feel blessed to have lived long enough to celebrate our 50th anniversary next year.

[sherilyn70]

I'd love to live to 50 at this point. So many people take getting old for granted.

 

My husband and I always love all the stories and history that couples in their 70s have to share. My favorite dining companions have been an older British couple and another group from Australia.

[sail7seas]

You are so right, Sail! I've said something similar to people when they hear we are going on a HAL cruise for the first time next year. My wife and I feel blessed to have lived long enough to celebrate our 50th anniversary next year.

 

How wonderful. Fifty Years.

Many Congratulations and wishes for many more years together in good

health and happiness.

 

[Keith1010]

We only sailed HAL once and found the overall age to be higher than some of the other cruise lines we had sailed up until that point.

 

Keith

[iancal]

Depends on the date, the ship, the itinerary, and the length of cruise.

 

I imagine that some have a very high average age, other shorter cruises in the traditional vacation periods from US domestic ports will probably have a lower average age. Lower, but not low, and similar to Princess and Celebrity.

[navybankerteacher]

It is worth remembering that, as a general rule, the less informed people are the more certain they try to sound when passing along overheard rumors.

 

If you read them carefully, you will note that many of the posts which most strongly identify HAL as being for the parents of old people do not indicate how many HAL cruisers the poster has experienced - and, in fact, a number of them actually acknowledge that they are discussing what the poster has heard, rather than what the poster has experienced.

[marco]

The VERY abbreviated Cliff's Notes answer to your question: No. As with any line, the longer the cruise, the older the overall crowd. If you take a 7 day HAL cruise, the demographics are pretty much the same.

[NYGURL]

I've only been on one HAL cruise and it was definitely an older crowd but I was on a CRUISE and life was good! :D

[legaljen1969]

It's funny how much of a relative term "old" can be. We were at a neighbor's house the other night trying to decide where to go for dinner. There is a great restaurant across the street from our neighborhood. The kids and teens (my neighbor's children) love the food, but only like to do take out, as they consider it an "old people" restaurant. Their qualifier- it has a bar. Only "old" people can go to a bar. That means anyone over 21 is "old." LOL

 

So, I agree with many others. The shorter the itinerary- the more likely you will have younger passengers. It's just the nature of folks needing to work and be in school (or whatever). Those who have put in their time and have retired may have more time to do longer itineraries.

 

If something interests you, go for it.